FACT SHEET

Settlement Agreement between the United States of America

and the City of Newport, Rhode Island

On September 30, 2010, the Department of Justice entered into a settlement agreement with the City of Newport, Rhode Island (the City), under title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

The Department of Justice initiated a compliance review of the City in July 2009, as part of Project Civic Access, a Department initiative to ensure greater access for Americans with disabilities to local government programs, services, activities, and facilities. An on-site survey of the City's buildings, programs, and services was conducted September 21 - 25, 2009.  The City's staff worked cooperatively with the Department throughout the compliance review process in order to reach an agreement.

Facilities covered by the agreement include Louis Duke Abbruzzi Little League Complex; Van Zandt Pier; Elm Street Pier; Newport Gateway Center; Parks and Recreation Cottage Office; Easton's Beach; King Park; Miantonomi Park and Stone Tower; Department of Utilities; Cardines Memorial Field; Vernon Park; Hunter Field; City Hall; Tot Lot (Edwards Street); Edward King House; Newport Harbor Center; Golden Hill Recreation Center and Recreation Department Office; Little League Ball Field and Shed; Eisenhower Park; Newport Police Department; Mary Street Restrooms; Ann Street Pier; Brick Market Place; Morton Park; and the Maintenance Facility (The "Clean City" Program).

The Department also reviewed the City's polling places, emergency management procedures, employment policies, sidewalks, and its 9-1-1 emergency services. 

The physical changes and the signs noted below are not required at every facility. The text of the settlement agreement specifies where modifications will be made. Among other things, the City has agreed to:

• make physical modifications to its facilities so that parking, routes into the buildings, entrances, public telephones, restrooms, service counters, and drinking fountains are accessible to people with disabilities;
• post, publish, and distribute a notice to inform members of the public of the provisions of title II and their applicability to the City's programs, services, and activities;
• officially recognize the Rhode Island's telephone relay service, and train staff in using the relay service for telephone communications;
• ensure equal access to its emergency management programs and services for persons with disabilities, including preparation, notification, response, and clean up;
• develop a method for providing information for interested persons with disabilities concerning the existence and location of the City's accessible services, activities, and programs;
• install signs at any inaccessible entrance to a facility directing users to an accessible entrance or to information about other accessible facilities; and
• implement a plan to ensure the accessibility of sidewalks, curb ramps, pedestrian crossings, and transportation stops throughout the City.

The settlement agreement will remain in effect for three years from September 30, 2010 or until the parties agree that all actions required by the Agreement have been completed, whichever is later.

Founded in 1639, the City of Newport is located on Aquidneck Island and is surrounded by water on three sides.  Often referred to as "the City by the Sea," Newport is known as the sailing capitol of the United States with many defenses of the America's Cup taking place in its waters.   With a long and abiding connection to the navy, Newport is home to Naval Station Newport, which houses the Unite States Naval War College, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and a major U.S. Navy training center.

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